Elements and Performance Criteria

RANGE STATEMENT
The Range Statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the Performance Criteria, is detailed below. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.
Codes of practice/ standards
Where reference is made to industry codes of practice, and/or Australian/international standards, the latest version must be used.
Context
First Aid management will need to account for:
workplace policies and procedures
industry/site specific regulations, codes etc
OHS requirements
State and Territory workplace health and safety requirements
allergies casualty may have.
Hazards
Physical hazards may include:
workplace hazards
environmental hazards
proximity of other people
hazards associated with casualty management process.
Risks
Risks may include:
worksite equipment, machinery and substances
First Aid equipment (oxygen cylinders, defibrillator)
environmental risks
bodily fluids
risk of further injury to the casualty
risks associated with the proximity of other workers and bystanders.
Injuries and conditions managed
Casualty condition is managed for:
abdominal injuries
allergic reactions
bleeding
burns - thermal, chemical, friction, electrical
cardiac conditions
chemical contamination
cold injuries
crush injuries
dislocations
drowning
envenomation - snake, spider, insect and marine bites
environmental conditions such as hypothermia, dehydration, heat stroke
epilepsy, diabetes, asthma and other medical conditions
eye injuries
fractures
head injuries
insect/marine bites
minor skin injuries
neck and spinal injuries
needle stick injuries
poisoning and toxic substances
respiratory management of asthma and/or choking
shock
smoke inhalation
soft tissue injuries, including sprains, strains, dislocations
substance abuse, illicit drugs
unconsciousness, including not breathing and no pulse.
First Aid responses
First Aid management may include:
administration of analgesic gases
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
infection control
semi-automatic external defibrillator (SAED)
expired air resuscitation (EAR).
First Aid principles
Established First Aid principles include:
checking the site for danger to self, casualty and others minimising the danger
checking and maintaining casualty's airway, breathing and circulation
Variables
First Aid management will need to account for:
location and nature of the workplace
the environmental conditions, eg electricity, biological risks, weather, motor vehicle accidents
location of emergency service personnel
the use and availability of First Aid equipment and resources
infection control.
Medication
Medication may include:
oxygen
pain relief - paracetamol in accordance with State and Territory legislation, analgesics (penthrane, entonox - used in mining industry)
asthma - aerosol bronchodilators: casualty's own or from First Aid kit in accordance with State and Territory legislation
severe allergic reactions - adrenaline: subject to casualty's own regime
heart attack - aspirin.
Resources and equipment
Resources and equipment are used appropriate to the risk to be met and may include:
blood pressure cuff
oxygen resuscitation/cylinders
defibrillation units
pressure bandages
thermometers
injections
backboards
stretchers
soft bag resuscitator
First Aid kits
eyewash
thermal blankets
pocket face masks
rubber gloves
dressing
spacer device
cervical collars.
Communication systems
Communication systems may include but are not limited to:
mobile phones
satellite phones
HF/VHF radio
flags
flares
two-way radio
email
electronic equipment.
Documentation
Documentation may cover:
time
fluid intake/output
blood
vomit
faeces
urine
administration of medication, including time, date, person administering, dose
vital signs.
Health, safety and environment (HSE)
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment requirements, which may be imposed through State or Federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between Performance Criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence.

EVIDENCE GUIDE
The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria, Required Skills and Knowledge, the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment
Assessment of this unit should include demonstrated competence on actual plant and equipment in a work environment. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency.
Assessment will occur over a range of situations that will include disruptions to normal, smooth operation.
Where applicable, assessment should replicate workplace conditions as far as possible. Where, for reasons of safety, access to equipment and resources and space, assessment takes place away from the workplace, simulations should be used to represent workplace conditions as closely as possible. Consistency of performance should be maintained over the required range of workplace situations until renewal of competence/license is required by the industry/organisation.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit
Competence may be demonstrated working individually, under supervision or as part of a First Aid team.

Context of and specific resources for assessment
Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what-ifs will be required as will a bank of questions which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.

Method of assessment
In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units.
In a major hazard facility, it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with other OHS units.

Guidance information for assessment
Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the oracy, language and literacy capacity of the assessee and the work being performed.